Following intelligence gathered from prisoners we continued to conduct raids on supply routes and worked alongside local Guard units to eliminate the threat of Children activities within their borders. Each operation we conducted was a success, we often found ourselves engaged with those who lacked any military training resulting in them soon surrendering once we engaged them. Our regular training and superior equipment was invaluable to our success, we were soon getting a reputation within the base of being an elite fighting force.

Since I dealt with the bomb threat no other bombs were located by ourselves or any other units. In all honesty most activity of the Children died down as we commenced more raids, if I had to guess I'd say that they were attempting to lay low. It will only be a matter of time before they resurface, for now though we can enjoy some time to ourselves on base.

On the first of February the election took place within the Empire, the territory was split into fifty constituencies which each represented a seat in Parliament. By the end of the election one party had won the majority with thirty-two seats, 'The Unification Party,' the very party who Balbean worked for. Balbean himself had won a seat within his constituency along the Equestrian border, he also remained in his posting as the Minister of Intelligence.

I didn't need to be a genius to figure out that The Unification Party comprised primarily of members of the 'Unification Syndicate' who initially hired Balbean to eliminate the General and to work alongside me during the war. The party boasted that it wanted to bring the Griffin Empire forward, to heal the wounds caused by the war to make the nation stronger. The Prime Minister was a former adviser to the King before his death, a Griffin by the name of Bernhard. I have not been introduced to him but from what I've been told he was wanting to meet me during the state visit to personally thank me for my efforts within the Empire.

As soon as I heard who had won the election I immediately lost interest, I never was a fan of politics. Sure, I obviously voted back home when it came to the general election, but my political views from Earth likely won't mix in with this world so I won't even bother. With the new government in power for the next five years, or until an early election was called for, it was time for me to return to work, the Griffin Empire may now have a leader but it still has the threat of the Children of the Motherland. A lot of work lies ahead for this new government, I may as well help out by reducing the threat from a group who opposes it.

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Monday 10th February 2014
09:45
Wingston train station

My team are currently on guard duty at the train station waiting for the arrival of the Princesses, since we are within the safe confines of the capital our guard duty consists of standing around and looking pretty for the general public. We all remain spaced out around the train station alongside Gabrielle and her unit who are also assisting as part of the Griffin Empire's escort for the Princesses.

Adjusting my rifle on my back I look down the tracks, "Weren't they supposed to he here by now?"

Chaser shrugs as he lets out a yawn, "It's a train, John. They're renowned for being late."

Lifting a brow I turn back to Chaser, "How are you tired? I know we got up at six but I told you all to have an early night."

"No matter how early I go to bed I will always be tired when I wake up at six. It's an unnatural time to be up."

"Naw, up too late reading your porn? You weren't caught beating the meat, were you?"

Scowling Chaser shakes his head, "You've got a strange mind, John."

"Blame the army, it messed my social skills up." Before Chaser can reply the sound of a train whistle sounds over the distance, turning my head to look down the track I watch as the train rounds the corner leading to the station. "Everyone, form up!" I shout out to my team causing them all to quickly move into position ready for the train to pull up.

Slowly the train comes to a halt in front of us, after a few short moments the main carriage door opens. The first to disembark are a small team of Solar Guards brandishing a new weapon I've never seen before, the traditional spear seems to have had an upgrade, attached underneath the blade is what I can only describe as some sort of steel blunderbuss. The metal of the attachment has various engravings along it's body, a glowing red gem is fitted to the base whereas the end opens up to show the interior of what appears to be a barrel, sliding from the bottom of the barrel along the body of the spear is a large trigger which likely activates the new weapon.

The second group to exit the train are another group of guards who I have never seen before. Their armour is the same design of any other guard except for the colour, it appears to be wither made of polished steel giving it the impression of being platinum or even diamond. Their coats also seem different to any other pony, their coats seem to have a natural shine to them making them stand out a mile away.

With the two groups lined up alongside my unit I wait until the Princesses disembark. Celestia and Luna are the first to leave, followed closely by Twilight and finally Cadence, unfortunately for me Shining seems to have decided to accompany his wife meaning I would have to put up with him. Once they are all out on the platform I call my unit to attention and step up to them before giving a crisp salute which they all return with a small bow.

Grinning I look between them, "You're late."

"We apologise, John," Celestia says as she steps up to me. "There was an unexpected obstruction on the tracks which delayed us. I trust everything has been going well here?"

"It has, the last couple of weeks have been smooth sailing for us." Pausing I glance to the new weapons the Solar Guard are wielding, "What's with the new spears? It's like a spear had a bit of how's your father with a blunderbuss."

Luna looks to me in confusion, "'How's your father?' What does that even mean?"

Chaser clears his throat from behind me, "You don't want to know, your highness."

When I turn back to face the Princesses, Shining Armor steps forward. "They're a new design established by the Solar Guard to replace the current spears. You may have your... rifles but they're fairly complicated to manufacture, that's where these come in. You rely on industry but we have magic, we've utilised that with these weapons. The spears allow us to engage up close, whereas the magical barrel has the power to propel a spell towards a target at a range of one-hundred meters."

I step up to one of the guards and look over the weapon as he grasps onto it, "So you've adapted your spears for ranged combat? That's the reason I made rifles."

Shining holds his hoof out to the guard who presents him with the spear. Holding it to me he tilts the handle to show me the gem, "These gems can be interchanged, they have the power to transfer an elemental spell into the weapon for use at range by all races. You'll get a good fifty uses before one gem is depleted, when that happens they can easily be recharged by a trained Unicorn. Unlike your rifles these will never run out of ammunition, these will keep firing."

We both glare momentarily at one another before I chuckle softly, "Have we resorted to my gun is bigger then your gun? You think they're so efficient? Well I guess we'll find out at the war games. Oh, before I forget, our rifles have a better range then your spears."

Twilight lets out a small sigh as she steps between us, "How come everything becomes a competition between you two?"

Myself and Shining both look to one another, he proceeds to scoff and walk back to his wife whilst I simply shrug towards Twilight. Because he's a colossal cunt, and in a different body of the military meaning I must automatically hate him. Fuck the Solar Guard, the Lunar Guard are the best.

As a large carriage is brought to us the Princesses, Shining Armor and myself climb in while all of the other guards walk alongside to keep guard. Relaxing into the chair I rest the rifle between my legs as I rest my head back against the fairly comfortable cushion. However I don't get to relax as Luna clears her throat, "Before I forget, John, those gas masks and hazmat suits you requested are on board the train. I'll send some guards to retrieve them for you whilst we are in the meeting."

Celestia raises a brow as she looks to Luna, "When did John request those?"

Luna pauses momentarily as she's likely trying to think of something other then 'I entered his dream where we did more then just talk.' "John sent a report following what they uncovered at a storage facility."

"I didn't see a report, Luna."

"Well it is Lunar Guard business, sister. I don't delve into all of the Solar Guards affairs, do I?"

"Gas masks?" Twilight asks. "John, what are you up to with gasses and chemicals?"

I raise my hands defensively, "I'm not doing anything. We've come across chlorine and other chemicals including a bomb which I had to disarm, we need the masks and suits to protect us."

Luna seems initially shocked when she hears this, "You disarmed a bomb?"

"Everyone seems to have forgotten that I'm an ATO who used to work on a counter-IED team, it's was my job to play with bombs."

Twilight shakes her head as she looks out the window, "It's not exactly safe though."

"I'm in the army, it's not a safe occupation. If I wanted a safe job I would have stayed as a mechanic."

Everyone talks idly in the carriage as we travel through town towards the Capitol building, as the Captain of the Lunar Guard I was informed that I would be accompanying them for their meetings to act as a bodyguard of sorts. During the journey I couldn't help but regularly glance towards Luna, I even noticed her often looking to me with a slight seductive smile which caused me to look out the window as I try to hide my grin.

Arriving at the Capitol building I exit the carriage first and remain at attention as the Princesses disembark, as they do numerous members of the press snap pictures from amongst the crowds of Civilians hoping to catch a glimpse of the Princesses. As they make their way towards the main gate we are met by the personal guard of the Prime Minister along with Bernhard and key members of his cabinet. Bernhard's main body consists of black feathers with his head and wings being a lighter shade of grey, as he bows to the Princesses he gives a typical politicians smile.

He remains alongside the Princesses as he greets them all individually and poses with them for the cameras. Once he has greeted them all he surprisingly steps towards me and holds out a talon to me, "Captain John Davies, what an honour it is to finally meet you."

Matching the gesture I give him a strong handshake for the cameras, the press eat it up as a volley of flashes are unleashed from the crowd. "It's a pleasure to meet you Prime Minister, I hope the transition went smoothly for you."

As he releases my grip he moves to stand alongside me as he looks to the cameras, "A minor bump here and there, but nothing we couldn't handle. I'm afraid I'll have to keep this brief for the time being, we need to talk more before you return to the south of the Empire. I may have some information you'll be interested in hearing, it will also give me an opportunity to... consider developing military relations with Equestria more in the future."

That immediately gains my attention. "What information?"

"It's regarding a certain individual you will likely wish to intercept. We'll talk later though, for now I have to have a talk with your Princesses." With a final wave to the cameras he begins to lead everyone into the courtyard of the Capitol building where his guards prevent the public from entering.

As we move into the main building the rest of the guards remain on the perimeter of the Capitol building as myself and Shining Armor act as the close protection for the Princesses. When we are in the Prime Ministers office I immediately lose interest as the nature of the conversation turns too political for my tastes, discussions of open borders, trade deals, diplomatic cooperation and friendship were among the few topics I heard mentioned whenever I decided to pay some attention.

For the entire day I was hoping for something interesting to happen, however I had no luck as I was left completely bored. The entire day consisted of dull meetings, a tour of the Capitol building and a formal dinner. Never had I been so bored, I was so bored I thought I died went to hell and somehow got bored of it.

By the end of the day my legs felt as though they had turned to jelly from standing on the spot for hours on end, the only saving grace was the occasional cup of tea provided by one of the Bernhard's secretary. Thankfully during the state visit we were all provided rooms in the residential section of the Capitol building, the room I was provided was definitely a major upgrade from the barracks I've been calling home the past month. I wasted no time climbing into bed and laying my head down to sleep for the night, I needed to conserve my energy for the inevitable boredom I'd endure tomorrow.

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"Come on! Stop trying to hit me and hit me!" I shout out to Chaser as I block another of his strikes, with some free time for ourselves myself and Chaser decided to resume our sword training within one of the inner courtyards of the Capitol building for the guards based here.

Grunting he tries another strike which I easily avoid with a sidestep before bringing my blade across his throat painting him with a red line. Panting to regain his breath he lifts his head, "You've certainly gotten better since when we first started training."

Sheathing my blade I step past him to a bench holding our canteens, "I'm a fast learner."

"Either that or I'm a good teacher."

Pausing I look to him with as I shake my head, "Nah."

Chuckling to himself Chaser take a quick swig of his canteen, "You need to practise with somepony else, you've learnt all of my tricks."

"But with who? I need a challenge."

"How about Shining Armor?"

I let out a loud single laugh as I pat Chaser's back, "I said a challenge, not a walk in the park. Besides I'd likely get too pissed off by being in his presence that I'll pull my Glock on him."

"Well then I don't know, we'll find somepony."

I join Chaser as we both sit down to have a drink. As we converse with one another the Princesses, Shining and their tour guide make their way into the courtyard where they notice myself and Chaser. It doesn't take long until they make their way over to come and see me. As they reach us I screw the lid on my canteen as I get up and greet them, "Princesses, what can I do for you?"

"We just came over to see how you were doing," Cadence answers. "Seeing as we could hear you shouting through the open window upstairs."

"I'm not that loud, am I?"

Everyone all mutters some sort of agreements at the volume of my voice when I shout. "What exactly are you two doing out here anyways?"

Resting my hand on my sword I tilt my head to Chaser, "We were training, however I usually seem to kick Chaser's ass. Now I need a new challenge."

"A new challenge?" Luna asks. She looks between myself and Chaser momentarily before a smirk seems to surface on her muzzle. With a glow of her horn she draws Chaser's sword from his scabbard as she turns to pace towards the centre of the courtyard, "I'll be your new challenger."

Raising my brow I glance to Celestia who only seems to have an amused smile as she looks to her sister. Taking a couple of steps forward I chuckle softly, "You?"

"Yes, me. What's so funny?"

"No offence, Luna, but you're a Princess not a military soldier."

Luna twirls the sword in her magic as she steps closer to me, "Is the Captain afraid of being beaten by his Princess?"

I glance back to the others who seems to be watching with interest, looking over the courtyard I notice a number of guards from both the Griffins and ponies watching to see what happens. Grasping my sword I draw it from it's scabbard, "The Captain isn't afraid since he's trained in combat. First to three?"

"Agreed, let's see how well my Captain can fight."

We both step close to one another until we are only a few arms lengths apart. Smiling I lean my head closer and whisper to her, "Don't worry, I'll go easy on you."

With her own smile her horn glows brighter, "So kind." Using her magic she immediately slashes with her sword towards my neck, I'm barely able to bring up my own sword to stop the assault. She begins to quickly pace towards me as she delivers blow after blow with her sword, each strike she unleashes I'm forced to back peddle and block her attacks as quickly as I can.

When she lunges her sword towards me I quickly jump to her side as I bring my sword down on her exposed side, before my blade makes contact with her fur I find a blue field pushing rapidly against my body lifting me from my feet. Moving through the air against my will I inevitably make contact with the ground and roll across the gravel and dirt kicking up a cloud of dust.

Coming to a halt I let out a groan as I find myself at Chaser's hooves as he leans over me with a smile, "How's the challenge?"

Pushing myself to my feet I move back towards Luna as her horn glows once again, my eyes widen as I watch five additional swords materialise around her made from her magical energy. Before I can react they all advance on me as she remains stationary with a smile on her face. I dive out of the way as the fist two lunge towards my position, as I try to get ready to counter the next blade I'm met with the two which missed impacting with the rear of my legs sending me to the floor as the remaining three all thrust against my armour knocking me onto my back as they paint red marks on my breast plate.

Luna chuckles as her magical swords fade from existence, "You didn't think that I'd have no training in combat myself, did you?"

Panting I sit up on the floor as I rub my hands over my legs, "It may have slipped my mind." Getting up I grasp onto my sword and ready myself for the attack. Okay... she's fairly skilled with a blade and has magic on her side. I'm gonna have to play dirty. As she moves forward with her sword I counter her attack with one of my own, deflecting her blade I dive low to the floor and directly towards her bringing my blade across the front of her torso giving her a long yellow line.

From my position below her, I'm ready to thrust my blade into her sternum... that is until I feel a force grab my feet and drag me from underneath her. The back of my armour scraps along the gravel as I'm forced along the floor, once I'm clear from her she releases the spell causing me to come to a stop. Clever bitch. Rolling onto my chest I'm grabbed once again by her magic as I find myself lifted from the floor, effortlessly she brings me directly towards her as her magic prevents me from moving a muscle in my body.

With a smile Luna slowly brings her blade across the front of my neck signalling my defeat before releasing me from her grip sending me crashing to the floor on my ass. As I sit there she slowly saunter back to the centre of the courtyard before pivoting to watch me as I remain seated. Come on, John! You've got this, time for a snooker comeback.

"You've nearly lost, Captain," Luna calls to me. "I thought you were supposed to be skilled with a blade?"

Clenching my free hand on the ground I gather a fistful of dirt and gravel and hide it behind my back as I stand before Luna once again. Taking a few shaky steps closer I halt a safe distance from her, "I'm a rifleman, not a swordsman."

"I think it's safe to say that you can't beat me, John."

"We'll see about that." Lunging forward I unleash a volley of attacks against her which she blocks with complete ease. Instead of going for the kill Luna seems intent on tiring me out during a prolonged duel. Our swords collide as we move back and forth as we take turns unleashing a quick assault. I need to time this right.

Stepping closer I apply the pressure causing her to back peddle as she deflects my assaults with her sword. Finally I get my opportunity as the glow on her horn intensifies signalling that she is going to try and unleash a spell against me. Seizing the opportunity I throw the dirt at her face causing the glow of her horn to drop as she involuntarily turns and shields her face with her hoof. Having an advantage I quickly move alongside her to the rear of her head and slice my blade along her chest before delivering a firm strike against the rear of her neck causing her legs to buckle slightly from the impact.

Yes, that's one for me. Fucking get in there! With my own smirk I start to walk away ready for the next round as Luna finishes spluttering on account of the dirt. She looks to me in irritation as I turn to face her, "You threw dirt at me? You fight dirty, John."

"He does that when he's losing!" Chaser shouts from the sideline.

Resting both hands on my sword I hold it ready for the next round, "In a fight it doesn't matter if you fight dirty or not, all that matters is that you win."

As soon as my sword is ready the glow of her horn intensifies as I find my sword enveloped in her magic, with a solid yank she pulls me towards her as I'm propelled forwards and onto the floor. With a twist she breaks my grip on the sword as she directs it back towards me. Using her magic she stands me up and leaves me locked in position as her sword slices along my left leg followed by my own blade mirroring the action on my right side, the contact causes my legs to buckle sending me to my knees.

Stepping towards me Luna brings both blades along my chest in a cross motion, the force she puts into it pushes me backwards onto my back. As I'm held down on the floor Luna steps over me as she looks down at me with a victorious grin. Holding my own sword against my throat she leans her head down alongside my ear and whispers to me, "You need to make that up to me, John. Hearts and hooves day we have no meetings, I expect to be... compensated."

With one firm stroke she slides the blade across my throat to win the fight for herself. With a smug smile she pivots my sword in her magic and holds it to me, as I grab onto the handle she hoists me off the floor and back onto my feet before releasing it. With my sword back in my control I sheath it as I watch Luna levitate Chaser's sword back to him.

When she's about to step off to rejoin her sister I stop her by resting my hand on her back, "Luna, there's something I needed to ask you."

"What is it?"

"It's about a name that's cropped up, we've been unable to find any trace of who this individual is though."

Luna turns her head to meet my gaze, "Who is it?"

"Tirek, he's also been referred to as a Lord."

Luna remains silent momentarily as her expression doesn't seem to change in the slightest, that pause however doesn't seem to sit well with me though. After a moment her eyes finally move locking onto mine, "Tirek is imprisoned in Tartarus, John. Whatever information you are hearing about him is false."

"He's in prison?" Luna nods. "So why are they mentioning him in their reports? Are they planning on breaking him out?"

"I don't know, but you don't have to worry about him. He is secured in Tartarus and is under guard from Cerberus-"

"-Cerberus? You have the three headed oversized dog?"

Luna looks initially surprised about my observation, "You know of Cerberus?"

Groaning I shrug as I rest a hand on my sword, "Just like everything else in your world which shouldn't exist he's from Greek mythology."

"Anyways as I was saying, you have no reason to concern yourself with Tirek." Without so much as another word Luna steps off to rejoin the others as I watch her. Something doesn't seem right... though she wouldn't have a reason to lie to me, would she?

Groaning I rub the back of my head as Chaser steps up to me. With a cocky grin he chuckles as he lightly punches me with his hoof, "I can't believe you threw dirt at the Princess. Was she too much of a challenge?"

Shaking my head I lightly slap him across the back of the head, "Shut up."

Once I reach my sister I look quickly back to John to find him playfully slapping his Sergeant as they laugh together. How has John come across Tirek? What do these Children of the Motherland know about him? "Celestia, may we have a word? In private."

Celestia looks to me momentarily before giving me her usual smile, "Of course, sister. Let us go up to my room." As we begin to walk she looks back to Twilight and Cadence, "We shall be back shortly." As myself and Celestia move to leave the courtyard I cast one last look towards John to see him once again engaged in a sparring match with Chaser. My sister and I walk the corridors in relative silence until Celestia finally speaks, "I know you've been complaining about not having anypony to spar with. You seemed to have enjoyed yourself during the match."

"It was quite enjoyable, it's been far too long since I've been able to engage in a proper sparring match."

"Despite the Captain throwing dirt at you?" Celestia gives a small chuckle as she continue to walk.

"Yes... despite that."

Once we reach Celestia's room where she is staying during the visit we move inside and close the door behind us. With a glow of her horn Celestia casts the usual spell erecting a sound barrier to keep our conversation private. "What do you wish to talk about? Is everything alright?"

Sighing I move over to the cushions set near the fireplace and rest against one, "It's John. He is now aware of Tirek."

Celestia remains silent for a moment before moving over to join me on the adjacent seat, "How? What did he say?"

"He only said that they found the name, I'm guessing by intercepting letters or communication."

"He's only aware of Tirek by name? What did you tell him?"

"Only what we've agreed we'd say, that he's being held in Tartarus under guard." Sighing I run a hoof over my muzzle, "Despite us both knowing that he escaped months ago."

"We can't let everypony know that he is loose, he poses a risk to all of Equestria. If everypony was to know of his escape then there would be panic."

"Then we should tell John," I suggest causing Celestia to lower her gaze slightly. "If he's aware of this danger he will pursue any leads he discovers. If we continue with this charade that he is in captivity then John and many others will ignore any potential leads on his location."

Sighing Celestia raises her head once again, "Sister, we've been over this. Shining is pursuing every lead we have on Tirek's location, the less ponies that know about this the better."

"You think Shining is enough? John has already proven that he is capable of serving us, he was a major influence here during the war-"

"-John is certainly a capable warrior, but other then that I don't know how sufficient he'll be in tracking down Tirek. You may have faith in him... but I still have some reservations about relying heavily on him for these matters. If John comes across any key information and reports it to us then we shall inform him, until then it's better that we leave him in the dark."

Is Celestia being serious? "But what if Tirek is in hiding here in the Griffin Empire? John could-"

"-Luna, I'm sorry but my mind is set on this. Until I see it fit to inform him of Tirek then we will not mention that name around him."

I open my mouth to reply but stop as Celestia gives me a firm look. Sighing I nod my head, "Yes, sister."

Celestia climbs to her hooves and reverses the spell she cast causing the sound barrier to collapse. "Come on, let us return to our day." Slowly I join Celestia as we leave the room, as we walk back to the others I can't help but think about informing John of Tirek. He may be able to discover vital information whilst operating within the Empire.

I hope we're making the right decision by not telling him.